Train Stations in Frankfurt: Which One You Need

Frankfurt has four train stations worth knowing about. Frankfurt (Main) Hbf, in the city centre, is where most long-distance and international trains start and stop. The airport (FRA) has two rail stations on different levels of Terminal 1: the Fernbahnhof for ICE and IC long-distance trains, and the Regionalbahnhof for S-Bahn services into the city. Frankfurt (Main) Süd, south of the river, handles some long-distance services for travellers staying near Sachsenhausen.

The most common mistake is assuming there is only one Frankfurt station, or only one station at the airport. Before you pay for a ticket, check the exact station name in your booking. Some ICE trains stop at both Frankfurt Hbf and the airport Fernbahnhof on the same journey, which means you have a genuine choice.

Frankfurt (Main) Hbf

Frankfurt Hbf is a large terminus station with 24 platforms and a broad, covered concourse that opens onto the Bahnhofsvorplatz square. ICE, IC, EC, Nightjet, S-Bahn, and regional trains all use it. For almost every journey that does not start or end at the airport, this is the station to book.

ICE trains to Amsterdam Centraal run every two hours and take around 3 hours 55 minutes, using ICE3neo rolling stock with restaurant cars and power sockets. Zurich HB takes roughly the same time; Basel SBB is faster at around 2 hours 58 minutes. Cologne takes around 1 hour 10 minutes on most ICE services. ÖBB Nightjet overnight trains stop here on routes linking Frankfurt with Vienna and Amsterdam, with seats, couchettes, and sleeper compartments depending on the train. From September 2026, Deutsche Bahn is adding direct ICE services from Frankfurt toward Antwerp via Cologne. Trains to Brussels use this corridor too.

The city centre is about 1.8 km from the station. Walk straight down Kaiserstrasse for around 20 minutes to reach the main shopping area around Hauptwache, or take any S-Bahn line one stop in that direction. U-Bahn lines U4, U5, U6, and U7 also stop at Frankfurt Hbf, as do several tram lines.

ICE reservations

ICE reservations in Germany are optional in 2nd class. You can board without one and sit in any unreserved seat. This confuses travellers from France or Spain, where high-speed reservations are compulsory. In Germany, the rule is different. Reservations make sense on very busy routes, peak-day departures, and the ICE Sprinter. Booking one adds a few euros to your ticket and locks in a specific seat.

Interrail and Eurail pass holders: your pass is valid on DB ICE and IC trains in Germany. Reservation is optional, but worth taking on a full train.

Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof

The Fernbahnhof is the long-distance station at Frankfurt Airport, inside Terminal 1 at the level above the S-Bahn. From the Arrivals hall, follow signs for “Fernbahnhof” or “Long-Distance Train.” The walk takes about 10 minutes.

Use this station if you are flying into FRA and continuing onward by ICE or IC without going into Frankfurt first. It saves you a full trip into the city and back out again. Check whether your train stops here before it reaches Frankfurt Hbf, because many ICE services do. If yours stops at both, board at the airport and skip the city detour entirely.

When booking, search for “Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf” in the DB timetable. That is the exact station name. Do not confuse it with Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Regionalbf, which is the S-Bahn station one level below.

Frankfurt Flughafen Regionalbahnhof

The Regionalbahnhof sits underground, directly beneath Terminal 1 at the S-Bahn level. It is the station you want when arriving at FRA and heading into Frankfurt by the quickest available train.

Take the S8 or S9 to Frankfurt Hbf. Journey time is around 12 to 13 minutes. Trains run roughly every 15 minutes throughout the day. Regional express trains RE2, RE3, and RE59 also use this station.

Buy an RMV zone ticket for the S-Bahn transfer. A DB long-distance ticket does not automatically cover the S-Bahn leg unless specified.

Lufthansa Express Rail and Rail and Fly

Two different products exist for Lufthansa passengers connecting by train. Lufthansa Express Rail covers ICE services, with a transfer guarantee if a delay threatens your connection. Rail and Fly is a separate add-on at around €30 per direction in 2nd class, covering S-Bahn and some regional trains, not long-distance ICE.

Check which product you have before you get to the airport. If you hold a Rail and Fly S-Bahn ticket, head for the Regionalbahnhof. If you hold a Lufthansa Express Rail ICE ticket, head for the Fernbahnhof signs.

Frankfurt (Main) Süd

Frankfurt Süd is worth knowing about but only if it is actually useful for your trip. It sits south of the river Main, near Sachsenhausen, and some ICE and IC trains stop there instead of, or in addition to, Frankfurt Hbf. If your hotel or destination is in that part of the city, check whether your specific train calls at Frankfurt Süd.

Not every long-distance service stops here. Verify on db.com before you rely on it.

Frankfurt-Hochst and other suburban stations

Frankfurt-Hochst, in the western part of the city, handles regional services to Wiesbaden and Mainz and a handful of IC stops. Most international travellers will not use it. If you are making a regional connection westbound, check the RMV timetable for services via Hochst.

Frankfurt-Hahn is not in Frankfurt

Frankfurt-Hahn is a budget airport around 120 km west of Frankfurt city, mainly used by Ryanair. There is no train to Hahn. Buses, including Flixbus coaches, run between Frankfurt Hbf and the airport and take around 90 minutes to 2 hours. If your flight uses Hahn, search for the bus, not the train.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA), where Lufthansa operates its main hub, is the one with direct rail connections described in this guide.

Tickets and reservations from Frankfurt

Two fare types govern most DB bookings from Frankfurt. Sparpreis is the advance ticket: cheaper, but tied to a specific train and not refundable. Flexpreis costs more and lets you travel on any ICE or IC on the departure day, with changes and refunds allowed.

For fixed travel dates, buy Sparpreis. Advance fares on shorter routes can start from around €17 on some services, though prices vary by route, date, demand, and booking window. For journeys combining rail with a flight, where schedules may shift, Flexpreis is worth the higher price.

A BahnCard 25 gives 25% off most DB fares; BahnCard 50 gives 50%. Both require a subscription fee.

Booking international trains from Frankfurt

Book most DB domestic and international routes at db.com, available in English. For ICE services to Amsterdam and Brussels, you can book through DB or through international booking sites depending on the routing. For Nightjet overnight trains, book at nightjet.com or via DB. Book sleepers and couchettes as early as possible: the cheapest accommodation categories on Nightjet can sell out before seats on popular routes.

Check your booking confirmation for the exact departure station. Frankfurt(M) Hbf and Frankfurt(M) Flughafen Fernbf are about 12 to 13 minutes apart by S-Bahn. Getting to the wrong one with luggage on a tight schedule is avoidable.